The Football Brainiacs

University of Oklahoma Edition

– “Need to play in order to find out where they are”. Said that there are a lot of young guys and they’re going to have to play in order to really see what they can do.

– Cody Thomas is back on the practice field and taking reps.

– Said that as of late Baker Mayfield hasnt been taking a ton of reps. Said they’ve been focusing on the young guys at the position that are eligible to play and making sure that they get enough snaps.

– In talking about the OL said, “They’re big, strong, physical…they’ve played a lot of football…they’ve played at a high level…for us to be successful they’re going to take us where we want to go”

– On Blake Bell at TE, “We expect him to play at a high level. He’s been really good in the pass game like you would expect having played quarterback, understanding space. He catches the ball extremely well with his hands. He plays as big as he is at that position but he’s done really good job in the run game as well”

– Said that Bell is one of those guys that’s tough and he’s willing to put his nose in there and block a 275 lb DE. Said he plays with great technique and mentioned that his technical ability was a bit of a surprise.

– Josh said that the OLine is bigger and stronger and that they’re playing with better technique than they were a year ago. Seems to expect them to be even better than they were last year. Said that they played “really well last year…at times exceptional” but said they have a chance to be better.

– Said that they spend some time on the Belldozer.

Keith Ford

– Said that he and Alex make each other better because they’re both big physical guys that know they have to compete against each other.

– Mentioned that ball security was really emphasized in the off-season. But said that his issues with ball security last year were a result of being young and not paying attention to the details regarding ball security. In high school he never had to worry about that because he was so much better than his competition. But said he’s really worked on his ball security in the offseason

– Keith said that the coaches have told them that the way they can separate themselves is in pass protection.

– Said that he was “very surprised” that he got playing time last year with all the senior RBs that were there. In fact he said he was doubting himself last year. Thought he would redshirt. But he said he kept working hard and it worked out.

– Said that the reps he got last year really help as he goes into this year…helped him adjust to the speed and physicality of the game at this level.

– Mentioned that growing up Billy Sims was one of his favorite players and it’s a big deal for him that he gets to be part of the OU running backs legacy.

Coach Norvell

– Said that KJ Young and Miciah Quick are performing really well in the slot.

– Said that while they do have a lot of inexperience at certain positions, it’s nothing new to them. They’re used to dealing with the transitions that happen in college football but they still expect their players to play well.

– Wouldn’t comment on the DGB situation. Jay is a chill guy but seemed a little put off by the question in general. Suspect he was really hoping DGB would be eligible and probably felt he should be.

– Said that they’ve been working “very hard” on being able to connect on the deep ball.

– On Durron Neal, “Durron is just playing with a lot of confidence. He’s always shown great ability to run…run after the catch…go deep…all those things. But he’s just kinda tying all those loose ends of his game together and playing with a lot of confidence.” Also said that “he’s pushed himself very hard in this training camp…now he’s ready to cash in”

– Norvell talked about preparing for Louisiana Tech and said that the experience they have with OU’s defense really helps prepare them, “We’ve seen a lot from our defense. That’s the great thing that we have going in our training camp is that our defense gives us every blitz we can possibly imagine. And every front we can imagine. That’s prepared us well for an opening game.”

– Said that Blake doing the unselfish thing and moving to tight end has “endeared himself even more to his teammates…I think he’s made a great transition. He’s a key to what we want to do this year…he’s learning what it’s like to play in the trenches”

Sooner Ray

I hope this O line can stay healthy all season because they are going to make all the skill positions shine.

Shifty

It is nice get a lead and run the clock in the second half and wear other teams down

Super K

Something we saw a lot of last year and I loved it. Putting the choke hold on the opponent and watching them go to sleep…that’s what it’s all about.

I agree, and I felt this was one of the things that some members of the national media failed to recognize. Gave us credit as if we barely beat some teams–simply based on final score–even though we finished with the ball in scoring position after running several minutes off the clock.

Jared Tyra

Speak the truth, man

Jim Slemaker

Interesting that even though Norvell says Blake Bell has “endeared himself even more”, his teammates didn’t vote him as a Captain. Or do the coaches select the Captains?

Eric Hoffpauir

I wondered the same thing.

Rees Bear

Players

Sooner Ray

Wouldn’t read too much into that. Blake seems like the type that would have told his fellow senior players that there were others more deserving of the honor.

pitbull17

While I want to agree, I just don’t understand how he was left out. I also don’t see him not wanting to be a captain, or a player more deserving of being one. On another note, it’s good to have this week to be able to chat with all you guys and girls before I head back to the pit of hell for another few weeks

Sooner Ray

I don’t understand why it is the way it is but there can only be so many and the team is loaded with good candidates, every year there is someone who could have a solid case to be a captain. I’ll just accept that he was named a starter and is excited to contribute. Chat it up this week, hope you get a chance to see or at least listen to the games. If you can log in to this site, I think there may be a game thread that would at least give you an idea of how it’s going.

pitbull17

Come hell, where I currently work, or high water, where there is none. I will be listening to the games.. I will be watching Saturday! No 4g for me to participate in the game threads though.

Super K

Exact same thought went through my mind.

OU ON MY MIND

I don’t know what it is but I am very excited about Trevor Knight. I know this is a long shot but I think Trevor will go down as an all time top 3 QB at OU.

Sooner Ray

That would mean a pretty astounding year considering the Trophy winners and Natty winners of the past but I hope you’re right.

Shifty

Two natties and two golden statues…Miss Cleo told me…all my money is tied up until december and february

Super K

That’s a bold prediction but if he plays anywhere near that level and OU gets what’s expected out of the run game and the defense…playoffs – here we come

Zack

It’s possible he still has 3 years of eligibility and if healthy 3 legit shots at championships. At least 3 conference title shots and that’s would be cool to see 3 straight

Dr. Doobie

Totally off topic, but does anybody know where I can go to stream live audio from this weekends game on an iPhone? Does the franchise ap work? I welcome all suggestions. Keep up the GREAT work fellas.! TFB rocks!

Finally game week!!

BOOMER!!

EasTex

I Heart Radio app. 1450 The Buzz always carries the game.

Dr. Doobie

Thanks Tex. Knew you would come through in the clutch! Thanks sooner brother.

EasTex

Always glad to he’p a brother out. That’s where I will be Saturday night, just can’t spring for the ppv with La Tech.

Eric Hoffpauir

We’re only doing it because we’ll have family in town, and it will be a lot cheaper to pay for it at home and grill than to go out to a bar & grill to watch it.

Sooner Ray

I will do it because I don’t have any self control.

EasTex

LOL! I do. To keep my mental toughness up, I fry bacon in the nude…on high heat.

pitbull17

Right there with you, plus I’m only going to get to see less than half the games live this year.

Sooner Ray

There was a time years ago when I had other commitments on the weekend and had to miss many games. I just caught up finding them on video. I survived just fine. Take care of the family first, football will always be around!

pitbull17

Thank God we have DVR now! I’ll already know who won and all the stats, but I’ll be able to binge watch football when I’m home!

soonermusic

If radio is available, you’ll be ok. If not, I’ve been known to enter the “cone of silence” in order to watch the dvr late at night w/o knowing the result ahead of time…

pitbull17

Only problem there is I work 2 weeks on, 9 hours from home, no dvr at work, I’ll have to listen on XM if it’s a day game or possibly be able to watch at night if I get it on our limited channels down there. I’ll binge watch OU football when I get home though.

soonermusic

ugh. yeah, the “cone of silence” is nerve wrackingly suspect at times, not very effective for more than a few hours, certainly not weeks…

ps congrats on the family addition,too.

pitbull17

thanks, I appreciate it. We tried for a long time for this one.

EasTex

I would do the same as you, but it will just be me by my lonesome. Going to a sports bar doesn’t interest me, I don’t drink and don’t like being around those that do very much. I grew up listening to OU football on the radio, doesn’t bother me one bit to do it for this game.

Eric Tauriainen

I did too. How I cherish those days. The 40..the 50..the 40..the 30..the 25..15..10..5..jimminy christmas – touchdown Oklahoma!!! Still sends chill through my body. Simple radio broadcast can do so much.

EasTex

I wish I could remember who the radio announcer was before Bob Barry Sr. Sure miss Bob and the way he would growl “touchdown Oklahomaaaaa.”

NuclearMonkey

John Brooks wasn’t it? Remember many Saturdays working with my dad in the garage and hearing “geeeeeeeeemany christmas” on the radio.

Thanks, that is exactly the kind of list I have been looking for. O’Halloran was the guy I remember before Barry.

rphdenton

I played on my hs tennis team and we got to practice at an okc country club sometimes……..this particular sat afternoon, the sooners were in boulder and having one of those games with the buffs…..the radios were on at the courts, in cars parked with men huddled around the car, golfers out on the course…….bob barry and jack ogle, didn’t get any better………remember the sooners making the game clinching play and you could hear the cheers from all over the area including out on the golf course………I really miss those two……I think if they were still broadcasting in their prime I would choose the radio over the tv…….”fumble!!!!”….pause……..”and Oklahoma got it!!!!”

EasTex

That’s the thing about radio, you can be doing other things and still tuned in. Announcers these days don’t paint the wonderful pictures in the listeners minds like those old guys did.

rphdenton

barry was hilarious also……….remember him describing an opposing rb getting hit…….”well, there was a hole there and he was running thisaway, mcadams hit him and he was goin’ thataway” or after a big play …..” how ’bout them apples!” you’re correct, a good radio announcer in any sport is a real pleasure and with that I leave you with……”and this is bob barry saying ‘so long’ on the Sooner Football Radio Network” East Tx……think we enjoyed the same broadcasts………

Boom

I will never forget – Mildren to the right cuts up pitches to Puritt, 40, 45, 50, 45, 40, 35, he could go all the way, 25, 20 15 10, TOUCHDOWNNNNN Oklahoma. We would all jump around and hoop it up. Me and my bor would have footballs in our hands and it wore my dad out cause we couldn’t sit still. We still laugh about it.

EasTex

If the announcers today were half as good as those days, I would get rid of the tv. LOL!

soonermusic

One of the cool things about the computer is that I was able to sync the sound to the tv. More than once I have listened to the radio broadcast while muting the tv knuckleheads. I’m often a bit delayed watching the game which is nice in that my dvd auto skips commercials, but doesn’t allow me to do the radio.

Eric Tauriainen

John Brooks and Mike Trepps. John made all the Jimminy Christmas calls. Man, I miss those days.

EasTex

They added so much more color and excitement to the game, it was as though I was actually there. I miss those days, too.

soonermusic

Mike Treps was truly excellent as a color guy, one of the best anywhere, I thought, but his stint as the play by play man was a bit trying, “Go Joe” notwithstanding. He frequently got so excited that the radio would burst into static and you couldn’t really decipher what had happened till they went over it afterward. I remember my favorite was when the opposing team (Missou maybe) was trying to win the game with a long field goal with only secs left and Treps screamed, the snap is back… it’s good….drowned out by screams…no, I meant the snap was good, the kick was off…

EasTex

Pulling for our RBs to have a great year. Sure hope Ross doesn’t have any pugilistic desires this season.

Sooner Ray

Ross has to realize that his time is now or never and I would hope his temper has been humbled by now.

EasTex

I sure hope so. Besides hurting himself he could hurt the team.

Sooner Ray

I want to see him have some of those “Mike Gaddis” type breakaway runs.

JB

I believe this group of RBs could be special in spite of inexperience.

EasTex

As do I.

Cory Reedy

One of the easiest positions to replenish IMO…I’m not worried about the RB’s at all.

EasTex

Not many RBs get to play behind such a talented and experienced O-line. It has to be a confidence boost for these young RBs.

pitbull17

completely agree, this could be an amazing year on the ground with the talent we have at RB and the threat we have that our QB could break one off at any moment.

Fear The Magic

Agree, we do have a great group of RBs but I have to admit that it would have been nice to have Mixon in there as well because of what he brings to the table.

leatherneck1061

Somebody is going to try to test him. Seems almost inevitable….just to see if they can get to him and end his season again.

EasTex

I agree, someone is going to try and provoke him into a flag or ejection. I would hate to see how far out in the yard the doghouse would be if he does that again.

OklaSooner

I just hope he can contain all that fire and take it to the next play. I like that he’s got that “hit you in the mouth!” I just hope he doesn’t literally do it.

leatherneck1061

Gotta be honest…..I’m really concerned about the WR corps. Opposing defenses may well believe all they have to do is cover Shep and load up on the run…..and that’s it. We really need Bell and McNamara to make an impact at TE.

EasTex

I’m actually excited with these young receivers and hope they do draw single coverage.

leatherneck1061

I think part of my concern is I don’t see the enthusiasm from Norvell I would have hoped for. Seems to act like the talent is there but not quite ready, and maybe he’s not sure how well they will be able to stretch the field. I also get the impression that the coaches were maybe a little more invested in the possibility of DGB getting on the field right away than we thought. Both of those things worry me a little.

pitbull17

I’d be worried if we didn’t have the talent at RB that we have, the young guys will have plenty of time to grow up before we have to have them. They WR corps also has a very good on the field leader with plenty of experience.

leatherneck1061

Good to see ya again. Where you been?

pitbull17

working non stop since May. I work 9 hours from home now. It’s supposed to be 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, but that hasn’t happened yet. I usually get to be home for 4 or 5 days then go back. I don’t get to comment much because when I’m home I’m trying to get things around the house done. I recently found out I was going to be a daddy again and bought a bigger house. So I’ve been busy as hell lately buddy.

leatherneck1061

Congratulations! And it just so happens my wife is in the 17th week right now, so I’m right there with ya! My 3-year-old son is all decked out in Sooner gear excited to watch football with daddy, and we have another Sooner fan on the way. But yes….busy as hell just about describes it. My advantage is I work at home on a computer all day, so I always take a few minutes here and there to check up on things 🙂

pitbull17

Thanks and congrats to you as well! We just found out it was going to be another girl, I put in for a boy but my order got messed up again. I’d give anything to be able to work at home on the computer after starting this job, I feel like all I do anymore is work and sleep then come home and do the same thing.

leatherneck1061

Yeah I guess I’m living the dream in some ways.

EasTex

I know what you mean, I have my routine down pat. Work/poop/sleep…rinse and repeat.

pitbull17

17 weeks? I think I have you by 1 or 2 weeks, you should be finding out soon what it is, right?

leatherneck1061

We go back to the doctor in about 2 weeks and should find out then. For some reason, I’m thinking it’s a girl this time. My wife kind of thinks so too. Just a feeling.

pitbull17

For what it’s worth, we all had a feeling this one was a boy! We did all the little old wives tales that predict what it’s going to be, they al said boy, Sonogram showed us a girl. Good luck my friend, all you can really ask for is a healthy baby.

leatherneck1061

Agreed. We will be ecstatic no matter what it is. And I have also heard of many who followed the “wives tales” signs you refer to and ended up completely wrong. One thing is for certain though – no matter if it’s a girl or boy, his/her favorite college sports team has already been decided for him/her and the appropriate apparel will of course be provided. 🙂

EasTex

Congratulations to you, also. Love those little miracles. My oldest grand daughter will be 13 in a few months.

leatherneck1061

Thank you much. Miracle is exactly the word. Simply amazed as we see the ultrasounds and watch the development of a new life. And my son is already excited he is going to be a big brother 🙂

EasTex

They are truly miracles and how we change because of them is also miraculous.

EasTex

Congratulations to you and your growing family.

pitbull17

Thanks Eas, it was a long time coming, didn’t know if it was ever going to happen, my girls are going to be 9 years apart.

EasTex

Well, your oldest will be a big help to you and your bride. My girls are three minutes apart. :}

pitbull17

She’s going to have to be with me being gone all the time. Until I can fool somebody close to home into paying me the amount of money these morons are I’m kinda stuck there! Twins, wow I can imagine their teenage years were rough for you bud!

EasTex

The teen years were…the teen years. The only time it became a problem for me was when I was sucked into a hormonally induced argument between wife and daughter. Never…I repeat NEVER get involved when mom and daughter are arguing over silly shiite, it is about who is the alpha female and they will both turn their ire on you for taking sides if they suck you in. Have a work shop/garage/bomb shelter/bunker with things that make a lot of noise like power tools or boom boxes so you can get away and drown out the noise.

pitbull17

Haha, they already do that now and she’s only 8.

EasTex

I understand you, I just think they will do well.

Zack

Trust me if quick is out there and they load up for the run and double shep, it will be the last time they call the defense.

leatherneck1061

I’m particularly interested to see how Neal steps up as a starter. We really need him now.

Big Higg

I’m not worried with Norvell at the helm. We’ve got some good talent at that position.

leatherneck1061

Talent certainly. Would feel better if we had a little more experience. Here’s hoping Norvell has his boys ready to rock n roll.

SoonerinLondon

I too and worried about WR. Historically, our first year WR starters have had a difficult time getting open. Generally, the slot position has less of a problem then the outside guys have had. Perhaps, with Shep outside, he’ll find success…KJ will find success in the slot and it will make it easier for the TE or other WR.

Coach JK

Sometimes payers like Blake will endorse other players for captain because they know those guys need to take on a bigger leadership role. They also know they can be great leaders themselves without being a captain. Great team player!!

OUknowitscomin

There’s just SO many offensive combinations that JH gets to play mad scientist with. D coordinators got to be sweating. It’s the polar diversity between Ford/Ross/gut shot to a KJ/Quick fire starter once they key on run. Throw in occassional play action Bell TE then over the top to Shep. QB mobility/read option & someone like Flowers coming out of left field. That’s some serious preparation in a week.

blaster1371

Sounds like the coaches need a game to see where the offense really is. The second game should give us some idea how quick they learn from experience. I hope Knight’s accuracy has improved and the young WRs have a good chance to make a catch and get upfield.